Ulysses’ winds, rains already felt in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte

Residents in Catanduanes and Camarines Norte felt the winds and rains due to Severe Tropical Storm Ulysses on Wednesday morning, as the Bicol Region still tries to recover from the impact of  Super Typhoon Rolly.

In Virac, Catanduanes, the mountains could no longer be seen from the city proper at 7 a.m. due to heavy rains, according to a report by Ian Cruz on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The mountains have already been saturated by heavy rainfall from previous weather disturbances that hit the province such as Rolly.

Due to this, the provincial government ordered forced evacuation of residents in areas prone to hazards such as landslides and flooding. The evacuation started on Tuesday and will continue on Wednesday.

Mga residente sa mga coastal area ng Virac, Catanduanes, pinalikas dahil sa banta ng storm Surge o daluyong ng dagat bunsod ng Bagyong Ulysses. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/F9ktfuv5KZ

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) November 11, 2020

Many of the school facilities used as evacuation centers were damaged during the onslaught of Rolly. Some residents are now staying in two-storey concrete houses as the province braces for Ulysses.

GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz said the chances are low for the center of Ulysses to cross the province. However, the ‘eye wall’ of Ulysses will bring heavy rains and winds.

On Tuesday, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and some Cabinet officials arrived in Catanduanes during the distribution of relief goods to the victims of Rolly.

The assistance came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Agriculture Secretary William Dar offered assistance to affected farmers and fishermen including the P120 million worth of assistance to abaca farmers.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also offered assistance through a cash for work program to give affected residents a source of income.

Through Go, the Office of the President awarded a check of P10 million to the provincial government of Catanduanes.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded concerned residents to strictly observe social distancing due to the COVID-19 threat even during a calamity.

The Department of Health is set to repair health facilities damaged by Rolly.

The DSWD said it is expediting the distribution of relief goods in affected areas amid reports that many residents have not received any assistance yet.

Due to the threat of Ulysses, the DSWD said relief operations may be stopped temporarily.

Camarines Norte

Meanwhile in Camarines Norte, residents were also advised to evacuate from their homes located in areas prone to hazards, according to a separate report of Saleema Refran on Unang Balita.

An evacuee immediately charged up her radio and flashlight in preparation for Ulysses.

Some residents of Barangay Sula in the town of Vinzons crossed a river by boat carrying some of their important belongings.

The Vinzons River, which is near the sea, usually swells during heavy rains.

Those who will refuse to evacuate will be forced to leave their homes on Wednesday, according to the local government.

Some areas in the province still have no power supply.

In Daet, residents also felt the strong winds and heavy rains, Refran said in a separate report on GMA News' Balitanghali.

Ulysses has intensified into a typhoon and is expected to bring destructive winds and intense with at times torrential rains over the northern portions of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte until Wednesday night and over Aurora and northern portion of Quezon from Wednesday night through Thursday early morning, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin.

Catanduanes and Camarines Norte were among the areas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 as of 11 a.m. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News